Tandridge District Council
Publication Scheme
This note sets out a guide to the categories of information available from the Council published in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000
What is a publication scheme?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Council to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme setting out the classes of information it holds, the manner in which is intends to publish the information and whether a charge will be made for the information. The scheme is a descriptive guide to the information routinely published by the Council.
This Publication Scheme commits the Council to make information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. The information covered is included in the classes of information mentioned in the Schedule to this publication scheme, where this information is held by the authority. Additional assistance is provided to the definition of these classes in sector specific guidance manuals issued by the Information Commissioner.
It is important to note, however, that whilst Tandridge District Council holds and make available literature produced by other organisations such as charities and central government, the Council does not publish it and its availability will be outside the Council’s control.
The scheme commits the Council:
To proactively publish, or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information, including environmental information, which is held by the Council and falls within the classifications below. To specify the information which is held by the Council and which falls within the classes of information below. To proactively publish, or otherwise make available as a matter of routine, information in line with the statements contained within this scheme. To produce and publish the methods by which the specific information is made routinely available so that it can be easily identified and accessed by members of the public. To review and update on a regular basis the information the Council makes available under this scheme. To produce a schedule of any fees charged for access to information which is made proactively available. To make this publication scheme available to the public. To publish any dataset held by the Council that has been requested and any updated versions it holds, unless the Council is satisfied that it is not appropriate to do so; to publish the dataset, where reasonably practicable, in an electronic form that is capable of re-use; and, if any information in the dataset is a relevant copyright work and the Council is the only owner, to make the information available for re-use under a specified licence. The term “dataset” is defined in Section 11(5) of the Freedom of Information !ct 2000 and the terms “relevant copyright work” and “specified licence” are defined in Section 19(8) of that Act.
Where can I find the publication scheme?
This publication scheme will be available on our website and in our offices. The scheme and all published documents are available in the first language of the district, namely English. If you have any difficulty with English and/or with access or require large print or otherwise require particular assistance, please contact the Council’s Head of Communications (01883 732704).
The Council has commissioned a service called Language Line that interprets the Council’s publications over the telephone into another language. All recent Council publications will include information about the service. Information is available on the Council’s website at http://www.tandridge.gov.uk/YourCouncil/Access/language_line.htm Classes of information
Who we are and what we do.
Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.
What we spend and how we spend it.
Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.
What our priorities are and how we are doing.
Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.
How we make decisions.
Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.
Our policies and procedures.
Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.
Lists and registers.
Information held in registers required by law and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.
The services we offer.
Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.
The classes of information will not generally include:
Information the disclosure of which is prevented by law, or exempt under the Freedom of Information Act, or is otherwise properly considered to be protected from disclosure. Information in draft form. Information that is no longer readily available as it is contained in files that have been placed in archive storage, or is difficult to access for similar reasons.
The method by which information published under this scheme will be made available
Where it is within the Council's capability, information will be provided on the Council's website www.tandridge.gov.uk. If you do not have access to the internet or the information is not available through our website, you can telephone the main Council Offices, Station Road East, Oxted, Surrey RH8 0BT on 01883 722000 or fax 01883 722015, or e-mail [email protected].
In exceptional circumstances some information may be available only by viewing in person. Where this manner is specified, contact details will be provided. An appointment to view the information will be arranged within a reasonable timescale.
Information will be provided in the language in which it is held or in such other language that is legally required. Where an authority is legally required to translate any information, it will do so.
Obligations under disability and discrimination legislation and any other legislation to provide information in other forms and formats will be adhered to when providing information in accordance with this scheme.
Charges which may be made for information published under this scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to make the maximum amount of information readily available at minimum inconvenience and cost to the public. Charges made by the Council for routinely published material will be justified and transparent and kept to a minimum.
Material which is published and accessed on a website will be provided free of charge.
Charges may be made for information subject to a charging regime specified by Parliament.
Charges may be made for actual disbursements incurred such as:
photocopying postage and packaging the costs directly incurred as a result of viewing information
Charges may also be made for information provided under this scheme where they are legally authorised, they are in all the circumstances, including the general principles of the right of access to information held by public authorities, justified and are in accordance with a published schedule or schedules of fees which is readily available to the public.
Charges may also be made for making datasets (or parts of datasets) that are relevant copyright works available for re-use. These charges will be in accordance with either regulations made under Section 11B of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or other enactments.
If a charge is to be made, confirmation of the payment due will be given before the information is provided. Payment may be requested prior to provision of the information.
Written requests
Information held by a public authority that is not published under this Scheme can be requested in writing or by e-mail, when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The Act allows you to contact the Council in writing and request information including as detailed a description of the information or documents you require as possible, how you would like the information conveyed to you, your name and contact details including a telephone number and email address if this is how you wish the information provided.
Further information on the !ct can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website www.ico.org.uk
Does the scheme cover personal information?
The Scheme and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 do not cover personal information held by the Council. Access to such information is governed by the Data Protection Act 1998. Requests for such information will be co-ordinated by the Council’s Data Protection Officer.
Exempt information
Some of the information held by the Council is exempt information as defined in the Freedom of Information Act, or information that the Council is prohibited from releasing by other legislation. This particularly applies to Council Agendas and Minutes. Where this occurs, the material will indicate that information has been withheld and explain what exemption has been applied and why.
Who is responsible for the publication scheme?
The Principal Solicitor, James Hitchcock (01883 732743) has overall responsibility for the scheme on behalf of Tandridge District Council. If you have any questions about the scheme or wish to provide feedback, such as improvements that could be made, please let us know. The Council would welcome suggestions for additional classes of information that could be included and your suggestions as to how the publications themselves might be improved.
What if I am not satisfied?
If you are not satisfied with the way the Council has handled your request, or the reasons given for refusing to provide certain information, you have the right of appeal. In the first instance, you should use the Council’s complaints procedure before contacting the Commissioner. ! copy of the Council’s complaints leaflet is available on our website or by telephoning 01883 732704.
If, having followed the Council’s complaints procedure, you are still not satisfied, you may refer your complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is completely independent of the Council, by writing to the following address:-
The Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, CHESHIRE. SK9 5AF
General Information about the Council
Tandridge district
Despite being so near to London, Tandridge District is very rural and over 90% is covered by Green Belt. The area borders Reigate and Banstead in the west, Croydon in the north, Sevenoaks to the east and Mid-Sussex to the south.
Covering some 25,000 hectares, Tandridge is a district of contrasts with busy commuter towns and leafy villages. Agriculture takes up more than half the land area. The Council works hard to maintain the rural nature of the area, while promoting and supporting appropriate economic development.
It has a population of about 83,000, the second smallest in Surrey and the lowest population density with around 3.3 persons per hectare.
Almost three quarters of the population lives in the main northern residential areas of Caterham, Oxted, Warlingham and Whyteleafe, which together cover about 9% of the Council’s geographical area. The remainder lives in smaller settlements and villages.
Public services in Tandridge
Three levels of local government - county, district and parish councils – provide public services to Tandridge District residents. Surrey County Council provides services over the whole of Surrey. Its main services include:-
Education
Youth Services
Emergency planning
Libraries
Trading standards
Footpaths and bridleways
Social Services
Countryside management
Waste Disposal
Fire Services
Economic development
Street lighting
Highways and transport planning
Planning relating to mineral extraction and waste disposal
More information on Surrey County Council can be found on their website www.surreycc.gov.uk or by contacting Surrey County Council on 03456 009 009 or e-mail [email protected] Tandridge District includes 21 parish councils. They have a varying number of councillors. A typical parish council provides or maintains a range of important community assets. They include allotments, village halls, common land, woodland, burial grounds and play areas.
Parish councils are consulted about all planning applications affecting their areas.
The planning authority must take into account any comments they make. To find out how to contact your town or parish council contact the Committee Section on 01883 732975 or e-mail [email protected].
Main services provided by Tandridge District Council include:-
Environmental Health (provided jointly with Mole Valley District Council)
Bus passes
Grants to voluntary organisations and parish councils
Food hygiene
Council Tax collection
Emergency planning
Pollution control
Housing Benefit
Elections
Dog wardens
Housing
Public Conveniences
Refuse collection
Energy conservation
Car parking
Recycling
Community safety
Planning
Street cleansing
Parks
Building control (provided jointly with Mole Valley District Council and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council)
Licensing